Report by Judy Nelon / Photos by Aaron Crisler

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Vestal Goodman once told me that Bill Gaither was anointed for what he was doing. It’s easy to agree with that. Bill’s love for the singers and the good songs has been the inspiration behind the video series success. Bill loved Vestal, Howard, Jake Hess, Hovie Lister and others that blazed the trail for the younger groups that would be needed as the legends left a void. On the Gaither videos you can clearly see seated together several of Bill’s favorite bass singers Rex Nelon, Brock Speer, J.D. Sumner with Bill’s very favorite pal George Younce. When George and Glen Payne retired the Cathedrals, the most prestigious quartet of all time also included Ernie Haase one of the greatest tenors. Ernie had success as a solo artist but the call of harmony won out and soon Bill Gaither formed the “Old Friends Quartet” with George and his son-in-law Ernie back out there together again. The guys in the Old Friends Quartet only wanted to do a few dates and George encouraged Ernie to put his own group together and history was made again in that landmark decision.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound have taken the nation by storm. Bill, always keen to a great idea, didn’t miss a beat in grouping this young energetic group of talented singers to tour with his Gaither Vocal Band.

The first time I heard them I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary, as all quartets are good to me a seasoned fan. That night in Sacramento, CA at the Western States Quartet convention I was beyond thrilled and instantly knew this was something special. By the time I made my way to the product table they were already sold out. Since that night they have topped the charts in not only the gospel trades but also in Billboard charts.

“Dream On,” their newest Gaither Music release has topped the Beatles on the Billboard charts. They are out of the box and taking the message to many people that would never hear this gospel. Spending an evening of your life at an Ernie Haase & Signature Sound concert is well worth the investment and effort. The inspiring evening full of entertainment and the gospel all wrapped up in one won’t disappoint you.

At the Santa Ana, CA concert I invited my friend to bring her grandchildren with us to hear the quartet. She didn’t and all through the evening she would say; “I wish I had the children with me, they would love this.” I enjoyed saying; “I told you so.” Every age loves these guys Ernie, tenor; Ryan Seaton, lead: Doug Anderson, baritone and Tim Duncan the bass singer is again one of Bill’s favorites.

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